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The Recording Academy Pacific Northwest Chapter played host for GRAMMYs On The Road At The Sasquatch! Music Festival, held May 25–28 in George, Wash. The Chapter conducted exclusive backstage interviews with artists performing at the festival, including Seattle rapper Fatal Lucciauno and indie rock band Black Whales.

Fatal Lucciauno discussed his career journey, working with Sportn' Life Records, the Pacific Northwest hip-hop community, and his most recent album, Respect, among other topics.

"My motivation behind Respect is for people to respect me," said Fatal Lucciauno. "[For] the street world to respect me and those who don't like what I do to respect me, because I can do what they do, I just choose not to."

Born in Chicago and raised in Seattle, Fatal Lucciauno began rapping at 8 years old. At 15 he became the second solo artist signed to Seattle-based Sportn' Life Records, and subsequently released his debut album, The Only Forgotten Son, in 2007. Fatal Lucciauno has shared the stage with artists including Big Boi, Ice Cube, Method Man, Redman, and the Wu-Tang Clan, among others. His sophomore effort, Respect, was released in February.

Black Whales discussed performing at Sasquatch!, the band's formation, musical influences, and the Seattle music scene, among other topics.

"Seattle is a really supportive community … it's kind of like Brooklyn [N.Y.] for the West Coast," said vocalist/guitarist Alex Robert. "It's encouraged to support each other and to do things together as often as possible, I think that's definitely something, like it or hate it, that Seattle has going for it."

Formed in Seattle in 2008, Black Whales features drummer Davey Brozowski, guitarist Alan Foote, keyboardist Dave Martin, bassist Ryan Middleton, and Robert. Combining indie pop and rock sensibilities, Black Whales released their debut EP, Origins, in 2009. In 2011 the band released their debut full-length album, Shangri-La Indeed. Black Whales' most recent release is the single "Vietnam." The band is scheduled to perform in Seattle on July 13.

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